It is an important step. One look around the clubhouse illustrated that. There was Phillies chairman Bill Giles, who admitted he has dreamed about handing the trophy that bears the name of his father to current general manager Pat Gillick. There was assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., who played in 25 games for the '93 team. There was Arbuckle, who played a big role in the drafting of players like Rollins and Burrell. And there was Dallas Green, now a consultant for the team but better known as the only manager to ever lead the Phillies to a World Series title.
"This team has a shot," Green said. "They really do."
What does a moment feel like? Ask Burrell. He is the longest tenured Phillie by about 4 months (Burrell made his debut on May 24, 2000. Rollins made his on Sept. 17 of that same year). His phone always rings this time of year, when the leaves begin their gradual death and the evening air turns to crisp. On the other end are teammates from years past, names anonymous outside the city limits yet ingrained in the hearts and minds of those who have followed the largely lusterless history of this Phillies franchise.
Dave Hollins. Todd Pratt.
The phone rings, and Pat Burrell answers, and the conversation is the same.
"Those are the calls that mean a lot,'' he said as a frat party full of millionaires raged around him, "because guys are pulling for you.''
For at least 1 more week, all of them are along for the ride. *
For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at http://go.philly.com/highcheese.
